Rimu Road improvements to start next week

The Kāpiti Coast District Council will make the most of quieter roads during the school holidays to make improvements to Rimu Road. For two weeks, from Monday 15 April until Friday 26 April between 7.30am and 5pm, the Council’s contractors will carry out repair and resurfacing works on the section of Rimu Road between Ihakara Street and Raumati Road. A detour will be in place to reduce the amount of through traffic moving through the worksite.  

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon says these important works will help keep this busy road up to scratch.  

“We’ll replace the existing surface with a new asphalt surface to repair wear and tear and help keep this busy road waterproof.” 

Mr Mallon says he’s aware it’s a busy road, connecting Paraparaumu to Raumati, so Council and the contractors carrying out the work will doing everything possible to minimise disruption.  

“We’ll carry out the work in stages during the school holidays while the roads are quieter. We’ll start at the southern end of Rimu Road (near Raumati Road), moving north to finish just south of the businesses near the Ihakara Street intersection. We need to keep access open for these businesses, so this part of the road will be resurfaced at a later date to minimise disruption for them.” 

To carry out the work efficiently and safely, Council will reduce the amount of traffic using this section of road, by having two types of traffic management in place:

·        A detour will be in place to direct through traffic to use the alternative route, via Ihakara Street, the main road (old SH1) and Raumati Road.

·        Stop/go will be in place to let residents, buses, pedestrians, cyclists and business customers through.

Signage will be in place, and traffic managers on site will direct people as they approach, depending on where they’re going.   

“Managing traffic on this busy road will be complex, so there are likely to be delays, but we’ll do everything to keep them to a minimum. Please follow the direction of staff on site or ask for direction if you’re unsure, and avoid the area if possible.”

-KCDC

Hoop Club Kapiti - Master Games 2019

Kapiti Hoop Club - Masters Team

 It all started back in September. After another competitive Sunday scrimmage I started thinking.. we were doing pretty good for a bunch of old fellas. A quick Google and I found that 35 was the starting age for Basketball at the Masters Games. Even better was the fact that the next Masters games was in Whanganui in February 2019. The timing and location couldn't have been more perfect. I convinced a couple of the other guys that we had to do this and then we went about trying to recruit anybody else who was in the right age range. While we recruited we continued going to the Hoop Club scrimmages every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon. Before we knew it we were off to Whanganui.  

We had heard rumours of some of the competition we'd be up against. But we were still pretty shocked when we got to Springvale Stadium and spotted Phil Jones milling around the court. I grew up idolising Phil Jones. He's a two time Olympian, a member of the 2002 Tall Blacks who finished 4th in the World Championships and an NBL legend. Our first game was against his team. We were shell-shocked to say the least but did a reasonable job of hanging tough. Our second game of Day 1 was a much closer affair but again we were matched against a number of former NBL players. We had a good first half and were almost even at the break but eventually lost by 20 after a tough second half. After checking out the other teams on Day 1 it was apparent we'd been handed a tough draw. Our first two losses had come at the hands of the Gold and Silver medal favourites. The other teams looked more on our level. 

Our third and final pool game on the morning of Day 2 was against a team called the Lakers Young Guns. It was a close one but we managed to grind out a win to finish third place in our pool. With a new found swagger we spent the afternoon of Day 2 checking out the sights of Whanganui. The city really comes alive for the Masters Games and the organisers should take a bow for doing an amazing job. We finished the day with a BBQ in the park and a team viewing of the 1992 classic basketball film "White Men Can't Jump". 

On the third and final day of competition we had our 5th/6th playoff game against the team who finished 3rd in the other pool - the Pacers. The Pacers didn't have the star-power of some of the other teams we had played but they had a deep bench and good ball movement. At this point we were down to 6 players as one of our guys had to go home after Day 2. The game was close but we eventually went down by 4 points. The loss gave us an overall finish of 6th out of 8 teams. 

Overall the tournament was a raging success. We got to play against some true legends of New Zealand Basketball and had some really competitive games. But best of all we had a great time on and off the court.

Article By Shanan Gough – Member of the Hoop Club Kapiti Men’s Masters Team 2019

KĀPITI LANDOWNERS CONSERVING HERITAGE LAND TO GET RATES SUPPORT

Local landowners who play an important role in protecting and managing the special natural heritage features of the Kāpiti District will get just over $29,000 of rates support from the Kāpiti Coast District Council. 

The Council’s Operations and Finance Committee approved this support for 102 properties across 664 hectares of land last week under its Rates Remission Policy. 

Committee chairperson Cr Michael Scott said Council’s policy played an important role in recognising ratepayers’ conservation efforts and the positive impact their work makes to the Kāpiti District’s cultural and biodiversity values. 

This includes activities like pest and weed control to maintain and restore ecological health of our region’s signature land features, like our wetlands, bush remnants and swamp and dune forests. 

“We are lucky in Kāpiti to have property owners who are prepared to voluntarily protect and manage their environment, where these have a close connection to some of our unique and special land features. 

“Whether its fencing off bush to protect it from stock intrusion or removing other pressures on the land like noxious pests, we are making a contribution to just a small part of the actual costs to those landowners,” Cr Scott said. 

Some of the properties have legal protections through the District Plan and the policy also offered an added incentive for these to be respected, he said. 

Landowners who receive the rebate are required to have a Heritage Management Plan for the heritage feature of their property. Council regularly reviews the plan with the landowner. 

The total number of recipients is up from 99 last year with three new properties approved this year in Otaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu.

-KCDC

Kāpiti Coast District Council launches Antenno

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has launched Antenno, a free mobile app that allows residents to raise issues with Council, and be alerted to Council service-related things going on in their neighbourhood. 

Group Manager People and Partnerships Janice McDougall says Antenno will make it easier for Kāpiti Coast residents to stay up-to-date and connect with the Council using their smart phones.

"Antenno provides a new way for local residents to connect with the Council on their terms. Residents can send and receive Council-related information straight from their phone, so they don't have to scroll through newsfeeds to find out what’s going on." 

“They can choose the places they want to be alerted about, so they only get information for the locations they care about. This might include their street, place of work, or where their kids go to school.”  

Notifications from Council will include information about road works, major water outages, pool and library closures, Council events, consultations, and rates payment and dog registration reminders.  

“You can tailor the alerts to the different places you’ve added, and you can opt out of topics that aren't of interest to you. For example, if you don’t have a dog, you can choose not to receive dog registration reminders.” 

Mrs McDougall says another key feature of the app is the ability for residents to raise issues with the Council directly from their smart phones.  

“The app prompts you to enter all the information we need to action a service request with the added benefit of being able to upload a photo and geographical location.” 

“This is a significant step forward for our Council as it means people can report issues such as graffiti in public places that needs to be removed or a tree down on the Waikanae River track in real time from their smart phones.” 

If residents want to alert Council to urgent issues outside of working hours (8am-5pm, Monday to Friday), they’ll need call 0800 486 486 so Council can respond immediately. Otherwise, their enquiry will be processed on the next business day.  

Twelve other councils around the country are already using Antenno to connect with their communities. The app is free and available to download now through the App Store or Google Play. 

For more information about Antenno, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/antenno

-KCDC

Kapiti Coast Region to Host Enduro Elite

Press Release: Bikesport NZ

The 2019 Yamaha New Zealand Enduro Championships

Kapiti Coast Region to Host Enduro Elite

APRIL 2, 2019: It is a sport the brings out the best and the worst ... the best of dirt bike riding talent and the worst that nature can throw at them.

The 2019 Yamaha New Zealand Enduro Championships kicked off near Whangamata two weeks ago and the second round of seven in the series is set for the Kapiti Coast region, in forestry just north of Wellington, this weekend, the demanding terrain sure to be another stern test for the riders and their motorcycles.

The venue for Saturday's event, on steep forest land off Moonshine Road, will be signposted from State Highway 58 (Haywards Hill Road) and it's probably hard to believe that such rugged terrain can be found so close to New Zealand's Capital city.

Hosted by the Kapi-Mana Motorcycle Club, the course is mostly clay-based forestry tracks with the premier AA course riders expected to complete three loops, each of just under 50km in length and comprising five terrain tests. The lesser A course riders have been set two loops of jus
t under 50km and comprising four terrain tests. The Intro Trail riders will be doing two shorter loops with two terrain tests (not timed).

Helensville's Tom Buxton dominated the day on the AA course at Whangamata, the 20-year-old finishing ahead of Cambridge's Dylan Yearbury, Thames rider Jason Davis, the former national enduro champion back from retirement, with another former champion, Glen Eden's Chris Birch, finishing fourth and Whanganui's Seth Reardon rounding out the top five.

Other riders to run among the leaders at Whangamata included Cambridge's Beau Taylor, Rotorua's Bradley Lauder, Tokoroa's Jake Wightman, Cambridge's Ashton Grey and Wainuiomata's eight-time national moto trials champion and now enduro expert Jake Whitaker.

Such is the nature of this most demanding of sports that any of these individuals could be expected to move up and challenge Buxton this weekend, with rider stamina, strength, skill, bike reliability, the weather and terrain, plus the unknown element of luck all sure to play a part.

Leading riders on the A course at Whangamata were Tokoroa's Jake Wightman, Thames rider Natasha Cairns, Te Hauautu's Elliot 'Superman' Kent, Masterton's Philip Bly and Putaruru's Phil Skinner.

"The track at Moonshine is in a really good condition," said Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson.

"We have put in a few interesting bits for the AA guys and it will be a challenge. It will be a little bit more moderate for the A course riders.
"I think a bit of moisture is expected leading into the event, but rain will be good to keep the dust down.

"It is shaping up to be a really good series. It's early days yet, but it's certainly close at the top and anyone's championship to win at this stage."

The Yamaha and Mitas tyres-sponsored series will next head to the South Waikato region for round three on Saturday, April 20.

The 2019 Yamaha NZ Enduro Championships are supported by Mitas tyres, Macaulay Metals, Best Build Construction, Silver-bullet, Kiwi Rider magazine, Dirt Rider Downunder magazine and Moto Events NZ.

2019 Yamaha NZ Enduro Champs calendar:

Round 1 – Saturday, March 16 – Thames

Round 2 – Saturday, April 6 - Kapiti

Round 3 – Saturday, April 20 – South Waikato

Round 4 – Sunday, June 9 – Martinborough

Round 5 – Saturday, June 29 – Bideford, Masterton

Round 6 – Friday, July 19 – Hokitika, Westland

Round 7 – Saturday, July 20 – Hokitika, Westland

-Bike Sport NZ

The Web Genius Kapiti Run for Youth 2019 over for another year

On Sunday 31st March the sun rose at 7.33am and continued to shine through a clear blue sky that was the perfect back drop for an amazing day of walking or running along the Kapiti coastline. 

There were 271 people participating either as individuals or within 21 different business and community groups.  The atmosphere was kind, generous and fun as people got on with the event to raise money for Kapiti youth through official Fundraising Partners who were all represented on the day. 

“At this point it looks like we are going to raise more than last year which was $19,787,” says Richard Calkin, Founder of Web Genius.  He goes on to say, “sponsorship remains open until Tuesday 9 April, so we are now on a mission to pass that amount before we reconcile and pay-out to Fundraising Partners.” 

Fundraising Partners this year included: Challenge for Change, Kapiti Basketball Association, Kapiti College, Kapiti Youth Support, Paraparaumu College, The Shed Project Kapiti and ZEAL Kapiti.  The Shed Project Kapiti also bought along a group of musicians to liven-up the registration before the starting siren at 10.30am. 

Winners on the day achieved some amazing person bests and all in the name of charity:

12km run – Alvirg Busa in 42 mins

12km walk – Sonya Jackson in 89 mins

6km run – Brent Atkins in 28 mins (and pushing a child in a buggy)

6km walk – Kate Jones in 45 mins 

Local business sponsorship plays a large part in the campaign with 2019 gathering 51 generous and community focused businesses to the value of $11,625.  They were: GOLD: Affordable Granite Benchtops, Freemasons New Zealand (Lodge Waikanae #433), Mills Albert Ltd, Peter Jackson Plumbing, Steve Rose Electrical and Thai Lagoon Restaurant. 

SILVER: allROOF Solutions Ltd, Autocrash @ Kapiti, Capital Chem-Dry, Coastal Medical Rooms, Composting NZ Ltd, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Ltd, Davis & Co Chartered Accountants Ltd, Deans & Associates (Kapiti) Ltd, Essence Design Ltd, Fix It Roofing Ltd (Kowhai Guys, Gold Coast Mechanical Ltd, Integra Law Ltd, Jomp Hair Design, Kapiti Island Nature Tours, Kapiti Rest Home & Kena Kena Rest Home, Moneymax, New World Waikanae, Otaki Commercial Park, Perfectly Balanced, Proline Engineering, Spectrum Collision Repairs, The Remedy, Tu Ora Compass Health, Waikanae Chartered Club Inc; and BRONZE: Al Homes Kapiti Horowhenua, Allan Gray Motors Ltd, Annie's Gardens, Bens Buns, Carpet Court Paraparaumu, Coast to Coast Blinds, Columbus Coffee Kapiti, Delaney Mitsubishi, Finman Services Paraparaumu Ltd, Finn's Kapiti, Haarlem Build , Kapiti Hearing Ltd, Kapiti Kruzer NZ, Kapiti Tenpin Bowling & Family Entertainment Centre, Mulholland Construction, Nikau Foundation, One Agency - Kaz Deverill, PartyPerfect Catering, Raumati Sands Resort, Roofing Direct and Vanzeal. 

“We also have a number of business that give their time, services and products to help make the event sustainable and fun,” says Campaign Manager, Helene Judge.  The businesses involved are: Beach FM, City Fitness, Kapiti Business Projects, Kapiti Candy Co, Kapiti Hire, Kapiti Pure Water, Kapiti Law, Kapiti News, Peter Jackson Plumbing, R-Line, Shoe Clinic, SignCraft, 16Nine Photography and Web Genius.  On the day, volunteer numbers swell with Web Genius staff, 49 Squadron Cadets, Paraparaumu Medical Centre and Kapiti Youth Support all working to register participants or, who are acting as Marshalls and emergency medical on the beach at the start and turnaround point. 

KR4Y is a fun walk or run on the beach between Paraparaumu and Raumati Beach raising money for Kapiti youth.  There are four options: 12km or 6km walk or the 12km or 6km run.  It’s free to register as an individual or group and we encourage every participant to achieve a minimum of $20 sponsorship that can be done easily and securely online.  “Since inception in 2011 we have raised $100,000 to support youth in Kapiti so we hope to significantly add to that once we close sponsorship and reconcile very soon,” says Helene.  The fundraising model focuses on returning as much money as we can back to the Kapiti youth community.  All funds raised are split 70% to the Fundraising Partner chosen by the participant at the time of registration and 30% is retained to run the event. 

View official 2019 photos >> https://www.facebook.com/KapitiRunForYouth/

Photos: 48, 49, 55 (Brent Atkins), 67 (Alvirg Busa), 68 (Sonya Jackson), 70 (Kate Jones)

Photo credit: 16Nine Photography

-The Web Genius Kapiti Fun Run

The Kāpiti Coast Civic Awards and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards open for nominations on 1 April

The Kāpiti Coast District’s annual Civic Awards paired with the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards are back again to honour the outstanding people who make our neighbourhoods and communities the special places they are.  

Mayor K Gurunathan says that while the awards are annual, this year’s round is particularly poignant in light of how New Zealand has been on the world stage over the past few weeks, demonstrating how inclusive, engaged, and kind communities can be. 

“This year the awards come at a time when we are all turning our focus inward on our communities, on our neighbours, and how to look after one another – despite all of our differences – and possibly because of them. We’re seeing the incredible resilience and connectedness of our communities and our neighbourhoods. 

“We’re celebrating what makes the Kāpiti Coast so unique, and the often quiet heroes in the background who volunteer tireless hours and lend generous skills and effort all year round to lead our communities to grow and support themselves.” 

The Civic Awards are our area’s highest honour for individual residents who’ve made a lasting impact in the community. Based on public nominations, Council gives awards based on exemplary volunteer   service or outstanding service in their professional field.  

Nominees are volunteers in areas like the environment, social services, education, youth, and culture.  

The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards recognise the contributions made by community groups in six categories: arts and culture, education and youth development, health and wellbeing, heritage and environment, sports and leisure, and rising star.  

To nominate a deserving recipient for the Civic Award or to put a group forward for the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards, see www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/civic-awards Nominations open on Monday 1 April, but hurry because nominations close 31 May.

-KCDC

Appeal to National Library: Block Access to Gun-Related Violent Games on Computers in Public Libraries.

Photo by Specna Arms on Unsplash

Statement by Kapiti Coast District Mayor K Gurunathan 28th March 2019 

I'm making an open appeal to the staff at the National Library who manage the public computers accessed by public libraries across the country.  Please take immediate steps to block access to gun-focused violent killing games. The recent horrific gun-related violence in Christchurch has created debate on the potential damage of such entertainment culture especially on young minds. 

Public access to computers in our libraries is being accessed by school children to log into these games. I understand from our library staff that we cannot block such access to websites ourselves at our local level. We are locked into a national consortium managed by the National Library. 

I don't think it's the intention of our public service to provide such access as part of our commitment to the benefits of open education. Primary school children should especially not be able to access such games. At the most, responsibility for such access should be a private decision made through parental guidance.

Following a complaint at one of our libraries our staff have placed notices by all public computers at all our libraries asking that, out of respect, such violent games are not played on them. Staff have also spoken directly to regular users of these games and where possible to the parents. In the meantime staff are seeking a long term national policy decision from the National Library.

ENDS

Kāpiti Coast community encouraged to attend National Remembrance Service in Wellington

Kāpiti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan is encouraging the Kāpiti Coast community to join people from across the region in Wellington this Friday to commemorate the 50 people who lost their lives in the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack. 

Mayor Gurunathan said the National Remembrance Service will be simultaneously broadcast live from Christchurch to an event in Wellington between 10am and 11am on Friday 29 March.  

“Coming together as a nation to pay tribute to the victims of this barbaric attack is an important part of the grieving process and I welcome the move by the Wellington City Council to host an event for our region.  

“The Police have advised that local resources will be diverted to Wellington for the day so I urge people who are thinking about traveling into the city to watch the service to consider using public transport or to share a ride with friends and whanau.” 

Details of the service, including where people can come together to watch the National Remembrance Service in Wellington, will be announced later in the week.  

Mayor Gurunathan confirmed the Kāpiti Coast District Council would be supporting the Wellington event. He said the Council would not be looking to host a similar event locally for people to gather to watch the service.

-KCDC

High levels of toxic algae found in Waikanae River

Waikanae River Bridge - Photo Tony Cutting

Greater Wellington Regional Council is advising people not to swim or walk dogs off-lead in and around the Waikanae River below SH1 due to high levels of toxic algae. 

Latest assessments show that toxic algae exceed safe levels in the river west of SH1, where river stones are covered and detached mats have been seen. 

“With continuing warm weather and a dry spell, we are seeing late season growth, so we are urging people to be careful near the Waikanae River in particular, says Dr Mark Heath, Senior Environmental Scientist at Greater Wellington.” 

Toxic algae are below warning levels in all other monitored waterways throughout the region. 

Given the rapid growth of toxic algae, and its potential change in coverage between weekly monitoring points, people are also urged to be able to recognise and avoid it. They should check out information signs around popular swimming holes and visit Greater Wellington’s Is it Safe to Swim? website and Facebook page for more information about, and images of, toxic algae. 

Toxic algae grow on submerged river stones in a shiny brown/dark green coating. When it dies it floats to the surface and forms small brown mats at the water’s edge. It is important to keep an eye on babies and toddlers who are inclined to put objects in their mouths, and dogs are naturally drawn to its odour. Anyone who swallows toxic algae should seek medical attention.

-Greater Wellington Regional Council

Let a Thousand Haka Resound Against the Attack

Joint statement by Mayor K Gurunathan and Mayor Mike Tana 19th March 2019 

This Friday at 1.40pm, the exact time a week ago, when the attacker opened fire on the innocent in Christchurch, school groups on the Kapiti Coast and Porirua will respond with a simultaneous Haka. The three main colleges in Kapiti (Otaki College, Paraparaumu College, Kapiti College) have committed to this synchronised unified response. A call has gone out to primary schools to join us.   

Let those taking part observe a minute of silence at 1.39pm in respect of those killed, their families and the people of Christchurch. And then deliver a resounding haka in defiance of everything the attack stands for. We will not be terrorised. We urge those participating to livestream, record and upload their haka videos online. 

"As a migrant who has found a home here, I know that there can be no other response as powerful and deep seated in the NZ psyche than the haka which has the ability to unite all Kiwis" says Mayor K Gurunathan. 

Mayor Mike Tana said Porirua was a diverse and inclusive City. "We stand with all our communities to support Christchurch. Unity will show strength and the way forward. We are particularly proud that our young people wish to be part of this unified response to such a horrendous event," he added. 

We are asking other mayors to join us. We appeal to the media to help us reach as many as possible. 

The brutal merciless killing has shocked and numbed the nation. We enter a time of deep reflection gathering in small and large groups to convey our heartfelt grief and pain to the families of the victims and to the Muslim community at large for what has happened. As New Zealanders we are shocked that this has happened in our country. 

But, as our Prime Rt. Hon Minister Jacinda Ardern had quickly and correctly observed, the attacker's social media postings showed he had deliberately chosen New Zealand to prove that even a nation like Aotearoa New Zealand, far from the international turmoil of war and terror, cannot escape this global evil. It's a calculated strategy to attack our strength as a largely tolerant, peaceful society of diverse communities.

We cannot allow that to happen. There is a season for all things. Today is a season for deep reflection. Of standing together as families, neighbours, communities and as a nation in support of the victims and their families, and each other. There is also a season for defiance. A defiance that is growing. A defiance that says: 

WE ARE KIWIS

WE ARE ONE

WE ARE NEW ZEALANDERS

WE WILL NOT BE TERRORISED.

 As Mayors of Porirua and Kapiti Coast, we call on other Mayors and their communities to respond similarly. Let a thousand haka resound across the country with this message.

ENDS

Support for the people of Christchurch

In response to Friday’s tragic events in Christchurch, the Kāpiti Coast District Council will place condolence books in the District’s libraries for people to leave messages of support and sympathy for those affected by the Christchurch mosque shootings.  

Mayor K Gurunathan said condolence books will be available in the Paekākāriki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae pop up and Ōtaki libraries from tomorrow, Tuesday 19 March, until Wednesday 27 March for people to sign during library open hours. 

“At a time like this it’s humbling to see our community coming together and rallying round to support the families of those who so tragically lost their lives in Christchurch on Friday. 

“Kindness and solidarity will help get us through this and we shouldn’t let Friday’s barbaric attack define us as a community or a nation.” 

Mayor Gurunathan said a number of people have been asking after where they can leave flowers affected by Friday’s tragic events.  

While there’s no official site the following locations have been self-identified by the community; the ‘peace pole’ in Paekākāriki, outside the Ōtaki Memorial Hall in Ōtaki, outside the Waikanae Memorial Hall in Waikanae and by the KiwiRiders sculpture off Marine Parade in Paraparaumu Beach. 

Donations to support the families and friends most affected by Friday’s tragedy can be made by visiting givealittle or LaunchGood.  

For more information about how you can show your support for the people of Christchurch visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/whats-on/News/2019/support-for-the-people-of-christchurch/

-KCDC